Bath property market report

Prices by postcode — Q1 2026

Source: Land Registry Q1 2026. Approximate averages across all transaction types in postcode sector.

Key market trends

• Strongest growth postcodes: BA2 6 (+4.8%), BA2 3 (+4.2%), BA1 5 (+4.1%) — all three are Bath's most affordable postcodes, reflecting an affordability-driven shift.
• The premium postcodes (BA1 centre, BA2 4 Bathwick) have seen lower growth (2.6–2.8%) — consistent with a national cooling in the top tier.
• Rental demand in Bath is structurally strong: the university and hospital are the two largest employers, and both attract sustained rental demand from professional households.
• Short-let (Airbnb) demand remains high in BA1 — tourism-driven, with peak occupancy in July–August and around the Christmas Market period. Average nightly rate: £120–180 in BA1.
• BANES council continues to resist significant residential development in the World Heritage Site boundary. Supply constraints are structural, not cyclical — they support long-term price floors.
• New-build completions in Bath: minimal due to heritage protection. The vast majority of transactions are on period or interwar stock. New-build completions outside the boundary (Keynsham, Midsomer Norton) have grown but are not substitutes for city-centre buyers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average house price in Bath in 2026?

The average sold price for all property types in Bath (BA1 and BA2 postcodes) is approximately £420k as of Q1 2026. This is an increase of approximately 3.2% from Q1 2025. By sub-postcode, prices range from £240k in BA2 6 (Radstock/Midsomer Norton) to over £540k on average in BA1 central. Source: Land Registry Q1 2026.

Is the Bath property market rising or falling?

The Bath property market is rising modestly in 2026 — approximately +3.2% year-on-year as of Q1 2026. The strongest growth is in the most affordable postcodes (BA2 6, BA2 3, BA1 5) where demand from price-sensitive buyers is highest. The premium postcodes (BA1 centre, BA2 4 Bathwick) are growing more slowly (2.6–2.8%). The structural constraint on Bath property — BANES heritage protection limiting new development — continues to support long-term prices.

How does Bath compare to UK average house prices?

Bath's average sold price (£420k, Q1 2026) is approximately 47% above the UK national average (approximately £285k). Bath consistently trades at a premium to the national average driven by: UNESCO World Heritage Site status limiting supply, high educational attainment and income levels, and consistent tourism-driven short-let demand. Bath is cheaper than central Bristol (average £350k+) on a like-for-like basis for premium postcodes.